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Paul Hornung bringing 40 firemen to Navy game
Thursday, November 1, 2007 12:11 AM CDT
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BY AL HAMNIK
ahamnik@nwitimes.com
219.933.4154
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
It began as a book signing at the New York Stock Exchange two months ago and wound up becoming a defining moment in the life of Notre Dame great Paul Hornung.
The 1956 Heisman winner and NFL Hall of Famer had stopped by O'Hara's Pub & Restaurant, a popular hangout of Ladder Co. 10, which lost seven of 11 firefighters on duty on Sept. 11 when the World Trade Center towers were destroyed by terrorists.
Located in the shadows of the WTC, O'Hara's suffered extensive damage and was closed for eight months after the attack that killed 2,749 people.
"Across the street is where the building went down and it fell the other way, thank goodness," Hornung told The Times on Wednesday. "They asked me if I had ever been to Ladder 10, the firehouse, so we went next door and there were about 15 kids on duty. We gave each of them a book, a Green Bay Packers jersey, and took pictures."
Hornung asked the firefighters if they had ever been to a Notre Dame football game. They said no.
"I asked if they'd like to go, and they said: 'Oh, my God. Yes. We sure would.' So, I'm bringing 40 firefighters in from ground zero for the Navy game this weekend," Hornung said. "We're putting 'em up at the Four Winds Casino (near) New Buffalo. I got 'em to donate the rooms, we got food and beverages, I got tickets and we're going to go to the Notre Dame pep rally and introduce 'em Friday night. I think the place will go up for grabs when we do."
Hornung also hopes to introduce the 9/11 heroes at Saturday's game. He said their emotional scars can't be hidden.
"They're all kids. It's amazing. They all seem to be between 18 and 25," he said. "We're bringing in representatives from five or six firehouses close to ground zero."
Hornung's only regret is that his Irish aren't 7-1 instead of 1-7. They have an NCAA-record 43-game winning streak against Navy, which comes in averaging 35.75 ppg.
"We all hurt seeing that," Hornung said. "I don't understand it. They tell me they've got 57 Parade All-Americans on their team. Evidently, whoever's picking Parade All-Americans doesn't know what they're doing.
"Notre Dame hasn't gone through something like this in years. I don't think they've lost faith in Charlie (Weis) -- yet. But a couple more seasons like this and they might."
A Navy win would mark the first time in 119 seasons of Notre Dame football that the Irish have lost five straight home games.
"Charlie's supposed to have another great freshman class coming in -- if they don't renege," Hornung said.
With each mounting loss, boos become louder and more frequent throughout the stadium.
"Listen. If you're not a Notre Dame fan, you're an anti-Notre Dame fan," Hornung said. "And if you are a fan, those people can't stand to see Notre Dame lose."
Navy will beat Notre Dame???
That's what The Times' John O'Malley is picking this week. O'Malley's other predictions, plus complete college football coverage, are on B4.
Thursday, November 1, 2007 12:11 AM CDT
Post a Comment | Email this story | Print this story
BY AL HAMNIK
ahamnik@nwitimes.com
219.933.4154
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
It began as a book signing at the New York Stock Exchange two months ago and wound up becoming a defining moment in the life of Notre Dame great Paul Hornung.
The 1956 Heisman winner and NFL Hall of Famer had stopped by O'Hara's Pub & Restaurant, a popular hangout of Ladder Co. 10, which lost seven of 11 firefighters on duty on Sept. 11 when the World Trade Center towers were destroyed by terrorists.
Located in the shadows of the WTC, O'Hara's suffered extensive damage and was closed for eight months after the attack that killed 2,749 people.
"Across the street is where the building went down and it fell the other way, thank goodness," Hornung told The Times on Wednesday. "They asked me if I had ever been to Ladder 10, the firehouse, so we went next door and there were about 15 kids on duty. We gave each of them a book, a Green Bay Packers jersey, and took pictures."
Hornung asked the firefighters if they had ever been to a Notre Dame football game. They said no.
"I asked if they'd like to go, and they said: 'Oh, my God. Yes. We sure would.' So, I'm bringing 40 firefighters in from ground zero for the Navy game this weekend," Hornung said. "We're putting 'em up at the Four Winds Casino (near) New Buffalo. I got 'em to donate the rooms, we got food and beverages, I got tickets and we're going to go to the Notre Dame pep rally and introduce 'em Friday night. I think the place will go up for grabs when we do."
Hornung also hopes to introduce the 9/11 heroes at Saturday's game. He said their emotional scars can't be hidden.
"They're all kids. It's amazing. They all seem to be between 18 and 25," he said. "We're bringing in representatives from five or six firehouses close to ground zero."
Hornung's only regret is that his Irish aren't 7-1 instead of 1-7. They have an NCAA-record 43-game winning streak against Navy, which comes in averaging 35.75 ppg.
"We all hurt seeing that," Hornung said. "I don't understand it. They tell me they've got 57 Parade All-Americans on their team. Evidently, whoever's picking Parade All-Americans doesn't know what they're doing.
"Notre Dame hasn't gone through something like this in years. I don't think they've lost faith in Charlie (Weis) -- yet. But a couple more seasons like this and they might."
A Navy win would mark the first time in 119 seasons of Notre Dame football that the Irish have lost five straight home games.
"Charlie's supposed to have another great freshman class coming in -- if they don't renege," Hornung said.
With each mounting loss, boos become louder and more frequent throughout the stadium.
"Listen. If you're not a Notre Dame fan, you're an anti-Notre Dame fan," Hornung said. "And if you are a fan, those people can't stand to see Notre Dame lose."
Navy will beat Notre Dame???
That's what The Times' John O'Malley is picking this week. O'Malley's other predictions, plus complete college football coverage, are on B4.
